Switching energy supplier and to a day/night meter

Comer1 · 09-08-2021 12:26pm #1

Hi, I am currently with Energia for electricity and when my contract expires on the 26th of August, I intend to switch to Airtricity as my electricity supplier. I currently have a standard meter but want to switch to a day/night meter after I switch to them. I have just purchased a Volkswagen ID.3, registered in July 2021 so I would like to avail of the €675 credit also.

Should I switch to Airtricity (through my Volkswagen dealer) after the 26th of August first. They have a 24 hour rate of 16.99c. Then request the day/night meter through Airtricity, and hopefully I automatically change to the 18.13c day rate and 8.97c night rate?

Or, do I have to request the day/night meter through my current provider, Energia? According to their website, it looks like I will go to the rather expensive rates of 32.5c day rate and 15.87c night rate out of contract. I'm assuming that the changeover through Volkswagen won't be quick so consuming electricity at those rates could work out very expensive.

Thanks

Kramer · 09-08-2021 3:24pm

I'd switch to the day/night meter while with your current provider. It's usually done within a few days.

It could be problematic switching after moving to your new provider & could kick you off the VW discounted tariff (I know nothing about that).

A few days on a higher tariff wouldn't be the end of the world - though that's inevitable anyway. Drought, flooding, fire & pestilence - we're getting there 😯.

Comer1 · 09-08-2021 4:14pm

Hi Kramer, that is my thinking too but I'm hoping the other option (getting day/night meter through new provider) is viable as another poster on here is waiting a few weeks for an install.

I'll contact my current provider to see if they can give me an estimate on install time.

fits · 09-08-2021 4:16pm

Im in similar position and timeline. Let me know how you get on! I havent done anything yet.

Comer1 · 10-08-2021 12:15pm

I've contacted my dealer, Energia (my current provider) and Airtricity this morning and it's still not clear what people should do😕

Energia will schedule a day/night meter fitting next Monday but told me I would have to enter a new 12 month contract with them. I told her I didn't and she seemed to get a bit confused as to what would happen if I didn't and suggested that I go direct to ESB to get the day/night meter installed. Not sure that I can do that. I think that if I get Energia (current provider) to get me the day/night meter, I will be paying 29c day rate and 13.1c night rate out of contract. I might even also be hit for €50 exit fee if I left them before my contract is up, but I doubt that as my experience is that they would be a bit flexible so close to my contract end. Then I can switch to a new provider.

I then contacted Airtricity and he suggested that my current supplier get the day/night meter. Otherwise, I would have to switch to them on the 24 hour rate and then apply to them to get the day/night meter fitted and still get the discounted rate. Here's the kicker, new customers with Airtricity get 30% discount, if you avail of the Volkswagen deal (€675 credit) you only get 10% discount on you electricity rate. They are giving with one hand and taking back with the other. My estimated consumption would only leave me saving less that €100. Not worth the hassle, I'm just going to forget the Volkswagen deal and stick with my current provider.

FWIT, I also contacted my VW dealer and all he has to do is pass customer's details to Airtricity and they contact the customer with information about the €675 offer.

I hope this helps someone else.

KCross · 10-08-2021 12:42pm

Here's the kicker, new customers with Airtricity get 30% discount, if you avail of the Volkswagen deal (€675 credit) you only get 10% discount on you electricity rate. They are giving with one hand and taking back with the other.

I wonder about that advice. Its in direct contradiction with what is on the VW site...

"Purchase the all-new ID.3 or the all-new ID.4 and receive up to €675 credit towards your energy bill when you switch to SSE Airtricity. This credit is in addition to any SSE Airtricity offers available to new and existing customers."

I dont see anything in the Airtricity T&C's that say you have to sign up to a specific plan that only gives you 10% discount either.

Interestingly, for any existing ID owners you can also avail of a €50 credit if you switch to Airtricity. If you are in the market for changing energy providers keep that in mind, as its €50 credit for nothing.

Comer1 · 10-08-2021 12:45pm

I said that to him too.

Comer1 · 10-08-2021 12:52pm

I have ordered the day night meter install from my current provider for next Monday which starts my new 12 month contract with them. I'm going to get my dealer to send my details to Airtricity next week and if they are giving the full 30% discount, I can just cancel the new contract with my current supplier in the cooling off period.

Kramer · 10-08-2021 5:25pm

I have ordered the day night meter install from my current provider for next Monday which starts my new 12 month contract with them.

Swapping to a day/night meter shouldn't put you into a 12 month contract. They're deliberately conflating two separate things here & they should be called out on it. Sure, if you agree to a new 12 month discounted tariff, that's one thing, but that's not mandatory by ESBN just swapping out a meter.

I'd be onto the regulator about that.......nip that type of behaviour in the bud.

Comer1 · 10-08-2021 6:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117734286#Comment_117734286

I did call her out on it and she backed down suggesting that I contact ESB directly for the install. I then got her to admit that I could get the day night meter install done through them but lose my current discount rate. I was happy to do that so I could change to Airtricity and avail of the €675 credit as part of the VW deal. Contacting Airtricity and being told that if I avail of the VW deal I am only entitled to 10% discount off the electricity rate, left me deciding to stick with Energia and their 40% discount.

fits · 10-08-2021 6:39pm

My plan was to let contract lapse and switch to whatever is most favourable. We have had smart meter installed now though so that’s another complication.

k123456 · 10-08-2021 8:01pm

Just curious, ballpark figure, how often would one need to charge a hyundai ioniq 28, to benefit from Night metre

Comer1 · 10-08-2021 8:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117734849#Comment_117734849

Do you know how much units you use in the year and what percentage is currently at night? How many units does the car use? I would estimate that you would need to be 30% of your usage at night to justify it.

If you know your usage as above, you can go to Switcher.ie make a comparison between 24hour and day/night meters.

ted1 · 10-08-2021 9:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117733001#Comment_117733001

Are they actually installing day night meters or are they just giving you a smart Meter? Be daft if they did the day night meter

Comer1 · 10-08-2021 9:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117735249#Comment_117735249

Why, are rates not better with day night meter?

ted1 · 10-08-2021 10:06pm

If they install a simple day and night meter they’ll be replacing it within a few months for a smart meter.

a smart meter allows for different variations , day, night, weekend , etc

try asking for one. https://www.electricireland.ie/residential/help/smart-electricity-meters/i-haven-t-got-a-smart-meter-yet-how-do-i-request-one

here are some examples, free weekend units or ev specific tariffs.

https://www.electricireland.ie/smart-meters/home-electric-plus

dloob · 11-08-2021 11:36pm

Stick with the day night if you have the usage to justify it, which you probably will with an EV.

All the "Smart" plans are more expensive than the basic day night rates.

Electric Irelands own EAB says the smart meter will cost you an extra 100 a year over the day night meter rates.

Comer1 · 12-08-2021 11:49am

I got back onto Airtricity, you can choose between any of the "Welcome offers." One is 10% discount plus €200 credit in addition to the €675 or you can choose the 30% discount in addition to the €675.

fits · 12-08-2021 12:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117742275#Comment_117742275

Thats what I suspected. I think we will be going with Airtricity on renewal. Even if unit rates are slightly higher, that 675 is not insignificant.

Comer1 · 12-08-2021 12:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117742412#Comment_117742412

Difference between Airtricity discounted rates and Energia discounted rates is very little so the 675 is well worth it.

Just off the phone with Energia and they are still insisting that the only way they can process a day/night meter install is to give me a new 12 month contract! I told them that as my provider I am entitled to request the install through them and that they are not entitled to force me into a new contract because of that. They are checking it out and are to call me back😫

fits · 12-08-2021 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117742494#Comment_117742494

Would it not be easier to process the day after your contract lapses with Airtricity?

Comer1 · 12-08-2021 12:47pm

Energia are my current provider so I think it's easier to get the day/night meter installed now at the end of my current contract rather than switching to Airtricity onto 24 hour rate, getting the meter installed and then switching to their day/night rates.

If Energia insist on a new contract with the install, I'll then get onto Airtricity and see if the latter option is OK with them. Life is too short for silly annoyances like this😉

fits · 12-08-2021 1:10pm

Im only asking, because I will be going through similar process with same suppliers in a couple of weeks! So interested to see how you get on.

fits · 12-08-2021 1:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117742678#Comment_117742678

we very cleverly have electricity, house insurance and health insurance all renewing at the same time. The time it takes to work things out!

Comer1 · 12-08-2021 1:59pm

Energia (current provider) just called back to say no problem with getting them to arrange the meter install with no need for a new contract.

So plan is to get the meter installed at the end of my current contract and then switch to Airtricity with the VW €675 deal on day/night rate...simples

13-08-2021 8:05am

energia screw existing customers as soon as their contract is up and they also make it difficult to know what you're paying per Kwh which I do not like they show discounts on the bill and all that but not what you actually pay in Kwh.

Beware of the smart meters because most suppliers have introduced a 3rd peak rate tariff to make electricity more expensive during around 5pm - 7 pm when People are cooking the dinner etc. We were promised cheaper bills with smart meters, but we all knew Ireland.INC doesn't do anything to benefit consumers don't we ?

As far as I could tell Energia have removed their night rate altogether and now night electricity costs a lot more.

Remember, you have the right to refuse a smart meter install which will avoid the 3rd band peak rate. But they can screw you in other ways for instance Energia night rate is now gone, ( I can't find it )

fits · 13-08-2021 8:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117746168#Comment_117746168

Agree its really impossible to compare plans. They dont make the price easily available at all. Think the CER could be doing a lot more in this regard tbh.

Comer1 · 13-08-2021 8:31am

To be fair to Energia, they have been very upfront with me regarding their discounted day and night rates. Those rates can also be found on Switcher.ie. Their discounted rates are just about the cheapest at the moment.

KCross · 13-08-2021 9:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117746168#Comment_117746168

As far as I could tell Energia have removed their night rate altogether and now night electricity costs a lot more.

Where are you getting that from? Night rate is on their website in the exact same place it always is?!

Their current max discounted variable plan has day/night at 17.34c/8.32c inc vat.

They do also still have the fixed rate EV offer of 20.28c/5.84c

You'd need to be very sure of your night usage to take up that fixed rate offer as the day rate is very expensive but its worth considering.

13-08-2021 10:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117746567#Comment_117746567

yearly consumption around 10 MWh over half that at night.

I'll check again but it was definitely not on their site last time I checked.

13-08-2021 1:21pm

Total Discounted Costs (inc. VAT)17.17 Day 12.27 Night 17.99 Peak ( Energia )

Night rate is a lot more expensive now but they don't show the normal day/night meter tariff any more, if they do I can't find it.

fits · 13-08-2021 1:29pm

Well I have to say as someone with a new smart meter installed and a new ev coming next week (min 600 km a week - its not at all clear to me what plan or meter I should be going with.

was on cheapest electricity with energia which was around 14 cents.

Comer1 · 13-08-2021 1:34pm

17.3c day and 8.3c night

eagerv · 13-08-2021 4:18pm

Couldn't get any good out of Energia when we tried a month or so ago, because we were already with them..🙁.

Another thing worth watching is some of the suppliers will be increasing their prices, even if you are in contract.

garo · 13-08-2021 4:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117733001#Comment_117733001

I had this same issue last year. I switched to a day/night meter with Energia one month before my contract ended and the lady told me that I would have to sign up for a new 12 month contract from the date of the install. They were giving me their best D/N rate so I said yes. so imagine my surprise when three months later I get a bill from Energia that charged me out of contract i.e. undiscounted prices. I had to haggle with them and they gave the money back. But long story short that new 12 month contract bit is incorrect. You contract will end on August 26th. Best thing you can do is call Energia on the 27th (assuming you already have the D/N meter) and ask them if you still have a contract with them or if the contract has ended.

Funny thing is they contacted me two weeks before my contract ended to say I was going out of contract and would I want to stay with them on a poorer dicount. And I told them I was on a new contract with them and they did not contradict em.

Charles Babbage · 13-08-2021 5:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117735249#Comment_117735249

This is the point, an old fashioned day night meter would not be useful at this stage, you need a smart meter which they are rolling out in any case, as I recently received one.

On the smart meter Electric Ireland have a special middle of the night rate for electric car charging.